I really don't have any issue with someone thanking their god if they are religious. IMO, it's a bit presumptuous to think their god has nothing else better to do on their day off than help a pro golfer win a tournament but whatever works.

Amen to that. I was taught that one does not pray for monetary success or for personal victories, sickness, pain or death excepted..

I dont watch every single sporting even but I have to think that it happens more than we know. After a good number of football games you can see players from the winning and losing teams huddle at mid field in prayer. In a sport like football I can only assume they are thanking GOD for the strenth to compete win or lose. Golfers can and probably have done the same thing. I follow Ben Crane and Bubba on Twitter and I'm "almost" positive I've seen them thank GOD for the strength and focus that it takes to compete. Whether they won that week, top ten, or missed cut.

I dont watch every single sporting even but I have to think that it happens more than we know. After a good number of football games you can see players from the winning and losing teams huddle at mid field in prayer. In a sport like football I can only assume they are thanking GOD for the strenth to compete win or lose. Golfers can and probably have done the same thing. I follow Ben Crane and Bubba on Twitter and I'm "almost" positive I've seen them thank GOD for the strength and focus that it takes to compete. Whether they won that week, top ten, or missed cut.

No problem with it. If people are bothered by it, they let themselves be bothered by it. Its not offensive, its not hateful. All people who complain about this are doing is wasting energy on shallow remarks.

Let's say a player was asked to what he attributed his recent turnaround and victory, and the player responded as follows:

"Well, like most religious people I just attended church my whole life without even thinking about it because that's what everyone else did. But six months ago when I actually thought about religion and realized that either there's no such thing as a supreme being or if there is one, there's absolutely no reason to worship him/her/it, it freed up at least two hours of every weekend, which I devoted to my short game and I think the resulting increase in my up-and-down percentage and drop in number of three-putts was fundamental in my win today."

Ninety-five percent of the religious right would be calling that guy an a-hole and an SOB and would be urging his sponsors to drop him. But 80 percent of them would deny that on an internet forum where they want to appear fair, wise, and even-handed.

Let's say a player was asked to what he attributed his recent turnaround and victory, and the player responded as follows:

"Well, like most religious people I just attended church my whole life without even thinking about it because that's what everyone else did. But six months ago when I actually thought about religion and realized that either there's no such thing as a supreme being or if there is one, there's absolutely no reason to worship him/her/it, it freed up at least two hours of every weekend, which I devoted to my short game and I think the resulting increase in my up-and-down percentage and drop in number of three-putts was fundamental in my win today."

Ninety-five percent of the religious right would be calling that guy an a-hole and an SOB and would be urging his sponsors to drop him. But 80 percent of them would deny that on an internet forum where they want to appear fair, wise, and even-handed.

I got it now, a basketball player broadcasting to the world he's gay is good, a pro golfer thanking god is bad. Seems a bit hypocritical, why not support both athletes right to present themselves how they wish?

I got it now, a basketball player broadcasting to the world he's gay is good, a pro golfer thanking god is bad. Seems a bit hypocritical, why not support both athletes right to present themselves how they wish?

Both of those examples are areas that I think are immensely private, none of my business, and solely for family and close friends to share.

I'm confused why anyone would make them a topic for nation publicity.

That said, it's their choice to use their time as they wish. Alternatively, if it's put out there, I'm also confused why anyone else would care one way or the other - Other than feeling sad for them that they actually think the news is the place for them to espouse such personal info.

Both of those examples are areas that I think are immensely private, none of my business, and solely for family and close friends to share.

I'm confused why anyone would make them a topic for nation publicity.

That said, it's their choice to use their time as they wish. Alternatively, if it's put out there, I'm also confused why anyone else would care one way or the other - Other than feeling sad for them that they actually think the news is the place for them to espouse such personal info.

I agree 100%, I couldn't care less if Collins is gay or that Ernst is religious. What's sad is the President called Collins to congratulate him on his courage and so far Ernst is just taking a ton of heat here. Seems like a double standard.

I agree 100%, I couldn't care less if Collins is gay or that Ernst is religious. What's sad is the President called Collins to congratulate him on his courage and so far Ernst is just taking a ton of heat here. Seems like a double standard.

I agree with you about Ernst ... I did not have nearly enough room in my head to roll my eyes like I wanted to once I saw that somebody started this stupid thread. Are we going to start one of these every single time somebody wins a tournament now? Ugh.

But it's pretty plain to see the difference between a guy showing his faith, which (other than on TST apparently) is and has been acceptable and the norm for a very long time, and the guy who was the very first publicly gay current player in the big team sports. One happens every single week, and the other, prior to Collins, has NEVER EVER happened.

So, there is nothing "sad" about the President calling Collins and not calling Ernst. Come on.